Portrait of Christian-Oscar Geyer from C.O.G. Classics

The history of C.O.G. Classics is closely interwoven with Managing Director Christian Oscar-Geyer’s first encounters and memories of cars in his childhood. According to his own recollections, Geyer always had something to do with cars: from an early age, his favourite toys were cars. He was particularly fond of the Matchbox suitcase – it even had to go on holiday with him. And the holiday destination in Tuscany was of course driven to in the family car, an Alfa Romeo Berlina 2000.

At first, Geyer only approached classic cars out of private interest. His own passion for classic vehicles, which has accompanied him since childhood, eventually became the basis for his business. In short, the hobby was turned into a profession.

His drive from the very beginning – and he says and means this quite unpretentiously – was to provide customers with the best possible service and the best possible offer in every respect. It is not just about selling. He takes prospective customers on a journey to share his automotive passion. Thus, at C.O.G. Classics he only offers vehicles that he would also buy himself. As a result, he and his staff often find it difficult to part with a car when it rolls out of the showroom. So, his motto is: “Don’t sell a car that you wouldn’t keep yourself”.

Actually, buying a classic car is only the first step in a passion for automotive history. Therefore, the next logical step for Christian-Oscar Geyer was a classic car workshop. After all, every enthusiast wants his vehicle to be in good hands. The workshop of C.O.G. Classics, like the showroom, is located in Düsseldorf, easily accessible even for customers from abroad.

THE SECOND LOCATION IS HIS FARM IN MÜNSTERLAND

More vehicles are available there; more than that, the location invites you to welcome friends and customers to explore the area and the cars on a test drive.

When you look around the showrooms of C.O.G. Classics, a brand focus does not immediately catch your eye. The car dealership does not specialise in individual manufacturers but focuses on the history of the individual cars. Above all, the condition, history and originality of the vehicles on offer are important to Geyer and his team. Whereas 10 to 20 years ago classic cars that had been restored as completely as possible were still in demand, today low mileage, origin and originality are decisive sales criteria.

Geyer recommends that newcomers to the classic and modern classics scene look for a vehicle that suits them. The biggest mistake prospective buyers can make is to underestimate the follow-up repair costs. The old adage “he who buys cheap, buys twice” holds true here; and by that, a supposedly cheap car quickly turns into an expensive one. Having made this painful experience himself as a young buyer, Geyer advises prospective buyers: It is better to buy a car that is in good condition, because it will increase in value or at least maintain it.

Even though Christian-Oscar Geyer has not declared a brand focus in his business, there are private brands and models that have shaped him or with which he has a history. Like his MGB, which he imported from the USA as a student and has been driving for over 30 years. Of course, the roadster bears the label “unsaleable”; for Geyer, the MGB is one of the best and most reliable cars in its class. Thanks to inexpensive spare parts and regular maintenance, this vehicle is “sustainable” in the truest sense of the word.

He is also very fond of a Honda S800. So much so that he promptly bought back (t)his coupé five years after selling it. On the other hand, there are still the unfulfilled dreams of childhood, such as the Lamborghini Miura.

Geyer is not afraid to look into the future of classic mobility. He is convinced that the classic car market and trade will continue. With the advent of electromobility, the current young classics of the 1980s and 1990s will probably be the last vehicles to become classic cars with internal combustion engines. For him, an automotive cultural asset is not necessarily a super sports car but can also be an old Fiat Panda that has lain dormant in the garage for 50 years.

Christian-Oscar Geyer sees two types of collectors – and of customers: some buy the vehicle to put in their garage and hope to sell it for twice as much the next year. The others take their vehicles out regularly, enjoy driving them and the charm of their cars. He counts himself among the latter.

Whether as an investment or as a daily driver, Geyer’s great wish is that the subject of automotive cultural assets will exist for a long time and that the treasures will be preserved, whether super sports cars or VW Beetles. Especially at this moment, when the end of the combustion engine seems to be in sight, it is important to uphold the cultural heritage and preserve the treasures along with their sometimes-curious history.

CONTACT

C.O.G. Classics GmbH
Christian-Oscar Geyer
Fichtenstraße 44
40233 Düsseldorf

Author: Classic Trader

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